1. It’s In The Bag Preschool Outreach Plus Rapides Parish Library Alexandria, LA

2. POP Circulation Figures 1997 - 2006 23,243 9,999 29,408 41,945 42,061 42,762 50,950 55,740 65,786 73,225

3. In The Beginning… Noticed fewer children in the library Story times were not well attended Circulation figures were down Where were the children? We found them in child care centers and Head Start programs

4. POP? What Is It? Delivery of Themed Material Centers must have Class A Daycare Licenses from State Centers are Responsible for Materials Scheduled for a 3 Week Use Period

5. What’s In Those Bags? Toddler & Preschool Bags Children’s Cassettes Children’s Books Flannel Board Stories Puppets Videos Teacher Resource Books Songs & Fingerplays Big Books

6. Resources Staff Books & Materials Transportation Inventory System Staging & Storing Area

7. Funding Friends Groups Grants 2004 Coming Up Taller Award 2006 Capital One LA Education Initiative Grant 2005-2007 First Book’s Book Relief Library Budget Donations Weeded Materials

8. Additions School Age Program Children’s Programming Concerts for children Expanded Existing Collection Dedicated POP Building Workshops for Providers

9. Future Plans Programs for at risk children Purchase 2 nd van for another route Create a manual for others to use in developing their program Spread the word! Document program’s success

10. Benefits For Library Great working relationship with other organizations in community Beautiful circulation figures PR Tool Touches 1000’s of preschoolers with literacy Gives underserved children an even start in life

11. Have Questions? Contact: Susan Baker Preschool Outreach Plus MGR. 318-445-2411 x 212 sfbaker@rpl.org Rapides Parish Library 411 Washington St. Alexandria, LA 71301

14. The Best Reasons To Do POP